If you reserved in May/June 07 and haven't confirmed/configured ...

[mjamus]

Date: 14 June 2007
Res #: 1260
Location: Fort Myers, FL (Dealer in Sarasota FL)

(Haven't confirmed yet, nice to see others in the same boat, not nice to see people who can't read and keep posting that they've confirmed ;)

[nsane1]

1233, Dallas, No configuration.

[tipo158]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Actually, thanks even to the guys who didn't read what I asked and responded that they HAD confirmed.

I didn't realize it when I posted the question, but what I really want to know is what regions are getting delayed and what regions are moving along quickly on their confirm/configures.

For what it's worth, I am seriously thinking about bailing on smart. For all of my whining here, as I have posted months ago, I really don't want a smart until summer. However, the lack of communications and what has turned out to be a very unfair reservation process has brought me to the point that I am not sure if I can (in good conscience) do business with smart. It is a tough decision because, at least as far as I can tell, the Seattle smart dealer is trying to do the right thing here and I would like to give them my business. Luckily, I still have time to think about it.

alan

[smartcenterSeattle]

Originally Posted by tipo158

It is a tough decision because, at least as far as I can tell, the Seattle smart dealer is trying to do the right thing here and I would like to give them my business. Luckily, I still have time to think about it.

alan

I understand your frustration. The reservation process is working in most cases however. Understand that I do not speak on behalf of smart USA, but it has been explained to me that orders are successfully being filled in order the reservation was placed, not when the configuration happens. I have seen no evidence of our Seattle reservation holders being bumped down the list based off of when they configured vs. when they reserved.

Although I have no say in how smart 1 operates, I do have the ability to help you with your timing issues. Don’t give up on us! Let me help you by getting you on the “orphan� list when we get a little closer to summer. That way you’re covered either way.

Ethan

[Litelbitt]

[/b]

Originally Posted by tipo158

Thanks to everyone who responded. Actually, thanks even to the guys who didn't read what I asked and responded that they HAD confirmed.

I didn't realize it when I posted the question, but what I really want to know is what regions are getting delayed and what regions are moving along quickly on their confirm/configures.

For what it's worth, I am seriously thinking about bailing on smart. For all of my whining here, as I have posted months ago, I really don't want a smart until summer. However, the lack of communications and what has turned out to be a very unfair reservation process has brought me to the point that I am not sure if I can (in good conscience) do business with smart. It is a tough decision because, at least as far as I can tell, the Seattle smart dealer is trying to do the right thing here and I would like to give them my business. Luckily, I still have time to think about it.

alan

Hang in there, I was feeling pretty desperate also. But fate stepped in and sent me the magic e-mail

Reserved: May 30, 2007
Reservation # 1244
Location: Laguna Niguel CA
Confirmation Date: February 1, 2008

Those of us lucky enough to be living in the smartie dense areas are just going to wait a little bit longer. But in the end success will be sweet and smart.

[tipo158]

Originally Posted by smartcenterSeattle

I understand your frustration. The reservation process is working in most cases however. Understand that I do not speak on behalf of smart USA, but it has been explained to me that orders are successfully being filled in order the reservation was placed, not when the configuration happens. I have seen no evidence of our Seattle reservation holders being bumped down the list based off of when they configured vs. when they reserved.

I appreciate your note.

However, are you sure that every 1173 will receive their car before an 1174 or even, say, an 1180?

The problem that I am having now is the basic disrespect for the reservation holder that smart seems to have.

Since smart collected $99 from reservation holders, you would figure that that they would try to keep them in the loop on the order and delivery process (and changes in that process). With the long delay between when the reservation was made and when the car would be delivered, you would figure that they would try to keep the reservation holders excited about their upcoming purchase (so they will share their excitement with their friends who might want to get in on it as well).

They seemed to try and do that for a while and then gave up.

Instead, since the end of last year, smart has communicated very little information to the group of reservation holders and has communicated with individual reservation holders on a limited basis.

My own individual, personal experience is that after I received cookie-cutter answers to my queries and then started asking more detailed questions based on their answers, they stopped answering my e-mail. Specifically, they sent me the "we are unable to estimate when you will be contacted, as the number of invitations sent continues to increase, weekly" response during a time when it is now acknowledged that no invitations were being sent, so I asked them when the last set of invitations were sent and when the next one would be sent. That is when they stopped answering questions from me. I have sent something every couple of weeks since then and still no response.

Looking at other current posts on these forums, I see that smart is still sending the same cookie-cutter answers.

I have said it before that I am willing to wait to support a good business (like smart center Seattle). I am willing to wait for a good product (like I believe the US-spec smart fortwo is). The question is am I willing to wait for a company that takes your money and then ignores you when you ask questions about when they are planning on delivering.

[angel]

Originally Posted by AlanTravis

I reserved in Phoenix on June 30th with a #1276 and have not confirmed. Yesterday, I called a few dealers that were out of state and found a total of 5 smarts available that were "turned Down" 3 were coupes and two were Cabs.I flew out and picked a loaded Cab. and drove it back 1100 miles yesterday and today. The car is perfect and in my hands. I stopped in and Tracy in Phoenix gave me a smart center Chandler license plate holder and I was off to my home.

Originally Posted by AlanTravis

Hello, I went to Smart Dallas and I paid their somewhat lower sales tax and they only have a $55 dollar prep fee. I paid the $16 Texas Reg. fee and I may
switch to the Arizona reg. in a couple months. I will not have to pay sales tax here because it is already paid.


Thanks,...Alan Travis

Glad someone is getting cars from Dallas.

1235
20 May
Still waiting to configure.

[smartcenterSeattle]

Originally Posted by tipo158

I appreciate your note.

However, are you sure that every 1173 will receive their car before an 1174 or even, say, an 1180?

No, I’m not sure nor would I expect for it to work perfectly that way. I have not confirmed the production process with regards to smart but I have seen vehicle production process mapping for other lines. You have to keep in mind that the manufacturing process would be impossible to run if each vehicle were built in the sequence in which they were ordered. Each little option change not to mention model change requires adjustments to the line. Vehicles are shipped as they are produced. Therefore, if end of production run vehicles were held for the sake of delivering them in ordered sequence, everyone would have to wait longer because of the extra labor time involved to organize the units for shipment. Don’t get me wrong, I am not defending the lack of communication you feel you have experienced. But I do think we can offer a little latitude to smart for doing their best when it comes to delivering the vehicles as quickly as possible. Being a half full kind of guy, to me that means that although someone’s car may arrive a little later than expected, someone got their car a little early as well. Unfortunately in an information medium like this, we are more likely to hear from people that are not happy, so it makes the problem appear to be more widespread and common than it actually is. I hope you are able to look past all of this and give smart center Seattle the opportunity to provide you with a uniquely positive buying and ownership experience. It is worth the wait I promise.

Ethan

[tipo158]

Originally Posted by smartcenterSeattle

I hope you are able to look past all of this and give smart center Seattle the opportunity to provide you with a uniquely positive buying and ownership experience. It is worth the wait I promise.

I recall saying that I don't mind waiting to support a good business or to get a good product. I am sure that the car is worth the wait.

What I can't stomach is a business that can't take the time to have someone write monthly updates to send to the 30-40k people who have put literally millions of dollars (30k times $99 = about $3M) into their bank account.

[BeSmart]

Really appreciate your insight into the production process for our smarties.

I can sympathize with tipo158 , waiting in silence stinks, but the wait will be worth it. There's nothing, nothing like a smartie. Not even the old VW beetle. The new smartie takes such good care of its drivers. Just can't help smiling all the time.

Getting the news of what all the dealerships are doing certainly helps. At least the smart is arriving for real. Here to stay!
.02
So much for being pollyanna. ;)